New to the fleet: SSB introduces fuel cell articulated buses – Mercedes-Benz eCitaro G fuel cell H2 mode on the road in Stuttgart in tens
Mercedes-Benz eCitaro G fuel cell H2 mode on the road in Stuttgart in tens
On April 14, 2025, the Minister of Transport Winfried Hermann, the Chairman of the SSB Supervisory Board and Mayor of Stuttgart Dr. Frank Nopper and the Technical Director and Spokesperson of the SSB Board Thomas Moser presented the first of ten articulated fuel cell buses that the SSB will put into operation in 2025.
These are the first emission-free buses that the SSB is integrating into its bus fleet as part of its regular replacement procurement following the fire at the Gaisburg depot in 2021. In addition, they are buses with a new drive system that is particularly important for Stuttgart. The SSB is no longer purchasing diesel buses: From 2027, it plans to serve Stuttgart city center exclusively with emission-free buses, and from 2035, it will operate the entire Stuttgart bus network in a climate-neutral manner. Over the next few years, the SSB plans to invest a total of 31 million euros in emission-free buses for its fleet. The state is supporting the additional investment in the procurement of buses with alternative drive systems, in this case with 1.4 million euros. The state capital of Stuttgart is supporting the operator of its public transport network in the bus procurement with complementary funding of around 3.4 million euros.
Transport Minister Winfried Hermann emphasized:
The transition to alternative drive systems is crucial for advancing climate protection in transport. Public transport, in particular, has a clear role model function and role model effect in the drive system transition.
“With our attractive bus subsidy program, we are actively supporting municipalities and transport companies in the transformation. The new buses bring clear benefits to the people of Stuttgart: cleaner air, less noise, and modern, comfortable, and accessible vehicles.”
Dr. Frank Nopper, Mayor of Stuttgart and Chairman of the SSB Supervisory Board, says:
A new era of propulsion is beginning for SSB city buses. With these state-of-the-art fuel cell articulated buses, Stuttgart and SSB are embarking on a zero-emission future.
“We are taking the first of many major steps toward zero emissions,”
The first Mercedes-Benz eCitaro G fuel cell articulated buses with the new pure hydrogen drive mode “H2 Mode” have been operating in the city since February 2025; they are needed. With the procurement of the ten articulated fuel cell buses, SSB is completing its testing phase of alternative drive technologies and beginning the development of an emission-free bus fleet for the Stuttgart bus network. SSB is currently preparing its bus depots in Gaisburg and Möhringen for 60 electric buses by setting up charging infrastructure. SSB already has a hydrogen filling station in Gaisburg, which is currently operated with trailers and will be connected via a pipeline in the future.
Thomas Moser, Technical Director and Spokesperson of the SSB Board of Directors, says:
The conversion of our bus fleet to alternative propulsion represents one of the biggest changes to our core business since the switch to light rail – and we want our passengers to perceive this change, if at all, as positive.
“We are pleased and grateful for the active and ongoing support of the state and the state capital,”
SSB was a development partner for Daimler Buses for the Mercedes-Benz eCitaro G fuel cell with the new pure hydrogen drive mode “H2 Mode.” These innovative articulated fuel cell buses offer a long range, high recuperation efficiency, high drive power, and the pure hydrogen drive mode makes them independent of stationary charging processes. This extends their operational radius compared to hybrid or purely electric technologies. They thus fulfill an important function in the SSB bus concept of the future.
Markus Wiedemann, SSB Division Head responsible for the bus division, says:
In order to be able to offer our passengers the usual stable yet flexible bus system, even with alternative drive systems, we must skillfully combine the respective strengths of different drive systems within the fleet.
“That’s why we are very pleased to now be able to use these buses,”
With the new, additional operating strategy H2 – Mode, the ten eCitaro G fuel cell electric articulated buses equipped with a hydrogen-based fuel cell can be operated exclusively with hydrogen as an energy source in certain application scenarios.
The new Mercedes-Benz eCitaro G fuel cell buses operated by SSB Stuttgart are equipped with four NMC3 high-voltage battery packs with a total energy capacity of 392 kWh. The compact fuel cell module has a maximum output of 60 kW and is located on the roof of the rear carriage, directly behind the swivel joint. Six hydrogen tanks with a total capacity of 30 kilograms are also located on the roof of each articulated bus. The eCitaro G fuel cell buses operated by SSB Stuttgart can achieve a very long range of up to 360 kilometers in H2 mode .
This contributes to the overall economic efficiency of the purely hydrogen-powered eCitaro G fuel cell, particularly in urban traffic with its frequent deceleration, but especially in challenging terrain such as the uphill sections of the Baden-Württemberg state capital. Last but not least, the large battery capacity enables high drive power to be deployed over longer distances, for example on inclines like Stuttgart’s Weinsteige, without the fuel cell having to operate in the upper, inefficient power range. Experts from Daimler Buses provided prior consultation to the SSB and evaluated the routes planned for the eCitaro G fuel cell in Stuttgart.
The first ten three-door articulated eCitaro G fuel cell fuel cell buses with H2 mode operated by SSB Stuttgart each feature 47 City Star Eco passenger seats in attractive blue and yellow fabric upholstery (plus a driver’s seat) and a powerful Thermatronic air conditioning system. In addition, there are 77 standing places, allowing up to 124 passengers per bus to be transported simultaneously in a spacious, comfortable environment. The articulated buses feature LED lighting technology all around, roll-pitch control, and the electrohydraulic intelligent eco steering system.
Highlights on board the articulated buses include the state-of-the-art safety and assistance systems. These include Sideguard Assist 2 and Frontguard Assist, Traffic Sign Assist, Attention Assist, and Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPM). These systems also feature a rearview camera, a video surveillance system with five mini-dome cameras and an 8″ TFT-LCD color monitor, and an accident data recorder.
A manually operated folding ramp at the middle entrance door, a large number of USB double sockets in the interior and two generously dimensioned special use areas with parking and leaning areas for wheelchairs and strollers complete the equipment of the new eCitaro G fuel cell articulated buses with H2 mode.
READ the latest news shaping the hydrogen market at Hydrogen Central
New to the fleet: SSB introduces fuel cell articulated buses – Mercedes-Benz eCitaro G fuel cell H2 mode on the road in Stuttgart in tens, source
